The Isle of Man TT is splitting with TTXGP and launching its own zero emissions race. "This is an indication of how seriously we take [zero emissions racing]," says TT representative Simon Crellin, "we're bringing it under the same umbrella as all other TT racing." TT Zero will operating under the FIM's new electric racing rules. Where does this leave the TTXGP?>

The Isle of Man Government has promised a £10,000 prize to the first team to post an average lap speed in excess of 100 MPH.

Here's the press release:

Following the success of the inaugural clean emissions motorcycle
race on the Isle of Man in 2009, the Isle of Man Department of Tourism
and Leisure has confirmed that a clean emissions race will be part of
the 2010 TT.

The clean emissions race in 2009 has been widely
credited with accelerating the development of clean emissions transport
and many of the technical innovations that were introduced in the Isle
of Man are expected to become an integral part of future mass market
transport. The event was conceived with the support and involvement of
numerous departments of the Isle of Man Government as part of the
Island's Freedom to Flourish programme.

The 2010 clean emissions
race has been renamed 'TT Zero' and will become part of the core TT
programme. It will feature riders who are also competing in the other
TT classes. The one-lap race will be open to clean emission motorcycles
and will take place on Wednesday, June 9th, at 4.30pm, following the
Royal London 360 Superstock and Supersport Races. There will also be
qualifying sessions on June 5th and 7th.

As with the core TT
Races programme TT Zero will be run by ACU Events Ltd, using the latest
FIM regulations. However TTXGP Ltd, who promoted the 2009 event, will
not be involved and the DTL will become the race promoter for the clean
emissions race as well as the core TT Races programme.

As well
as the usual prize money available to teams and riders, the Isle of Man
Government has also created a £10,000 prize fund for the first TT Zero
Race team to record a 100mph lap (160.93kph) around the 37.73-mile
course. This landmark was achieved for the first time by a conventional
bike in 1957, when Scotsman Bob McIntyre lapped the TT Course in 22
minutes 24.4 seconds for an overall average of 101.03mph. Rob Barber
and Team Agni recorded a fastest lap time of 25 minutes 53.5 seconds
(87.434mph) in the 2009 clean emissions race.

Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said:

"We
have enjoyed a very successful partnership with TTXGP Ltd and I would
like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work last
year. We look forward to welcoming many of the electric bike teams and
riders back to the Isle of Man in 2010 as well as to seeing new
challengers pitting their wits against the Mountain Course."

He added:

"We
are delighted that the Isle of Man was the first country to run an
electric bike race and the fact that there are now events scheduled
around the world is a tribute to the Island's entrepreneurial,
innovative spirit and shows what an achievement it was for the Isle of
Man to run the groundbreaking inaugural event. We are now building on
this fantastic start by properly integrating the clean emissions class
into the race programme - this really does send a clear signal that
electric motorsport is fast evolving and that the TT Races remain at
the forefront of motorcycle sport."